Method and devices for the treatment of bone fractures

Abstract

A system for treating bone fractures includes a tubular implant and a means for compressing the tubular implant. The tubular implant is configured to expand from a reduced configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded configuration has a greater diameter than the reduced configuration. The means for compressing the tubular implant causes the tubular implant to expand from the reduced configuration to the expanded configuration thereby fixating a bone fracture.

1 . A system for treating bone fractures, the system comprising;
 a tubular implant configured to expand from a reduced configuration to an expanded configuration, the expanded configuration having a greater diameter than the reduced configuration; and   a means for compressing the tubular implant whereby compression of the tubular implant causes the tubular implant to expand from the reduced configuration to the expanded configuration thereby fixating a bone fracture.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded configuration of the tubular implant has a shorter axial length than the reduced configuration of the tubular implant. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the expanded configuration of the tubular implant has a greater height than the reduced configuration of the tubular implant. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for compressing the tubular implant is a means for compressing the tubular implant in an axial direction. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for compressing the tubular implant is a means for compressing the tubular implant in a linear direction. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a delivery device for placing the tubular implant at a treatment site, wherein the delivery device includes the means for compressing the tubular implant.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for compressing the tubular implant includes a screw mechanism. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the means for compressing the tubular implant includes an axial rod. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular implant includes a hardenable substance. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular implant includes multiple splines. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular implant includes is a coil. 
     
     
         12 . A method for treating bone fractures, the method comprising:
 placing a tubular implant in a reduced configuration at a treatment site;   compressing the tubular implant thereby causing the tubular implant to expand from the reduced configuration to an expanded configuration, wherein the expanded configuration has a greater diameter than the reduced configuration; and   fixating a bone fracture at the treatment site with the expanded tubular implant.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the expanded configuration of the tubular implant has a shorter axial length than the reduced configuration of the tubular implant. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the expanded configuration of the tubular implant has a greater height than the reduced configuration of the tubular implant. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein compression is axial compression. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein compression is linear compression. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 ,
 removing a device that caused compression of the tubular implant from the treatment site.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the device is a delivery device for the tubular implant. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 inserting bone marrow into the tubular implant.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein compressing the tubular implant includes moving a first end of the tubular implant closer to a second end of the tubular implant.